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Farm Worker - Full-Time (Lake Vyrnwy)

Reference: SEP20214959
Expiry date: 2021-10-21 23:59:00.000
Location: Lake Vyrnwy
Salary: £25,280.00 - £28,045.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Annual Leave, Life Assurance
Attachments: CandidateGuidanceNotesAug21.pdf

This is a great opportunity to join an established team managing a 4800-hectare upland farm situated on the beautiful Lake Vyrnwy Estate, Powys.

The farm, which is managed by the RSPB on behalf of landowner Hafren Dyfrdwy, is the largest organic farm in England and Wales with over 5000 sheep as well as cattle and ponies. The farm is operated to achieve a range of important outcomes relating to sustainable land management, water catchment issues, and conservation. You will have a chance to experience upland farming at scale and use this as a unique opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge.

About the role

The role involves working in a team which is responsible for the delivery of livestock care and management and associated agricultural operations to meet agreed farm and conservation objectives. We have ambitious plans for the future of the estate and the farm is central to delivering these in a sustainable way for the long term.

Key activities for the role include:

  • Delivering day to day reserve farming and grazing operations including the management of machinery, land and estate infrastructure and livestock necessary to deliver the objectives of the farm business plan.
  • Undertaking the daily routine care of livestock including feeding, safe movement between locations, safe penning and restraint where required thereby maintaining high welfare, compliance standards for livestock and H&S standards for staff and volunteers.
  • Undertaking the daily assessment of livestock welfare and health, raising issues and supporting with the administration of prescribed medicines and prophylactic treatments, to ensure high health and welfare status of livestock under RSPB responsibility.
  • Undertaking a range of habitat and agricultural management of the reserve, including vegetation management, hay cropping, field cultivations, fencing, ditching, in field water management, and general estate management to produce the conditions required to deliver the ecological management plan objectives.
  • Undertaking administrative duties required to maintain all relevant paperwork and recording requirements relating to animal movements and livestock health and welfare, to ensure RSPB compliance with regulations and agricultural best practice.
  • Responsible for the maintenance and operation of machinery and agricultural equipment including day-to-day maintenance, repair and visual checks to ensure the efficient, safe and appropriate use of machinery.
  • Supporting in the production of the farming and grazing objectives in the reserve management plan and annual report as directed by the Farm Manager.
  • Supervising contractors for small and medium projects e.g. building cattle pens, fencing and gates required for the farming operations and achieve management plan objectives.
  • Ensuring good relations at all times with neighbours, graziers, suppliers, vets, external organisations and the general public to facilitate delivery of site/s and RSPB’s objectives.

What we need from you:

  • High level of agricultural and conservation land management knowledge.
  • Ecological knowledge relating to grazing as a conservation management tool.
  • High level of knowledge in cattle and sheep husbandry particularly recognising and acting upon animal health and welfare issues requirements.
  • Proven ability in the handling and movement of livestock including feeding, calving and lambing.
  • Proven ability in the movement of livestock (mainly sheep) using sheep dogs and quad and access to at least one trained dog.
  • Knowledge and experience of the essential record keeping in terms of animal identification, animal movements, veterinary treatments and animal health.
  • Knowledge and experience of risk management and compliance requirements relating to agricultural and environmental legislation with particular reference to grazing, livestock and land operations.
  • Experience and knowledge of the correct operational use, repair and maintenance of farm machinery and its associated powered or trailed equipment and attachments.
  • Knowledge of the health, safety and welfare issues applying to agricultural operations and management (e.g. risk assessments).
  • Proven skills in a range of land management tasks related to grazing operations e.g. building and maintaining fences, gates, in field water management structures, ditches and livestock holding pens.
  • Proven ability to work in a team.
  • Problem solving and personal organisation skills.
  • Experience of living in and working in remote areas and small communities.

For all application/role enquiries please contact - jon.pike@rspb.org.uk

Please note that you will be required to upload a CV and complete a short application form. If you wish to submit a cover letter to explain how you meet the criteria set out in the job description please include this on the same document as your CV.

Before applying to this role we would recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.